Low temperarure physical distribution system and method and apparatus for maintaining quality in auction maerket

ABSTRACT

The present invention provides low temperature zone forming equipment having a storage function capable of controlling temperature and humidity and a method and equipment for maintaining the quality of hauled fishes in an auction market of marine products such as fishes shellfishes, which constitute a low temperature distribution system closely linked with a purchase and sale system in consideration of the characteristics of the market.  
     The low temperature zone forming equipment used in the low temperature distribution system is composed of a chilled air generator  1  and an enclosure wall  3  of flexible hollow structure, said enclosure wall having openings for entrance and exit of water at an end part thereof and openings for supplying chilled air produced in said chilled air generator and having exhaust openings formed of knitted cloth along the inside of the enclosure wall.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention

[0002] The present invention relates to a low temperature physicaldistribution system, specifically a low temperature physicaldistribution system having a purchase and sale system aside from thedistribution system for handling perishable foods including hauledfishes of which storage management is absolutely necessary when keepingthe objects to be distributed in storage for maintaining the qualitythereof, and a method and an apparatus for maintaining the qualitythereof in an auction market of marine products.

[0003] 2. Description of the Related Art

[0004] There are two types of systems of distributing perishable foodsincluding hauled fishes, i.e., a conventional distribution system inwhich merchandise are gathered in a market and traders trade whileascertaining the quality according to their experiences and five senses;and a distribution system utilizing information technology, wherein thetrade is done in a virtual market, that is, the low temperaturedistribution system is separated from the purchase and sale system.

[0005] In the case of a distribution system where the trade is completedon a ship and the distribution target place is already determined whenhauled fishes are landed, there is no problem as the temporary storagethereof is not necessary. However, in both systems mentioned above,problems have been indicated concerning the temporary storage at thestep of trade in the market, and improvements have been proposed.

[0006] In Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2000-14315 isdisclosed an apparatus and method of displaying and storing hauledfishes in storage capable of hygienic storage aiming to solve theproblems which arise from the sale at auction on floor concerninghygiene and quality of the hauled fishes.

[0007] Namely, a display and storage apparatus which is composed of acooling section having a brine passage provided inside a cooling platecapable of displaying hauled fishes on the surface thereof and a thermalinsulation section provided at the bottom of the cooling section, abrine for food use being supplied to the brine passage, is provided in afish market, and the distribution process of hauled fishes is done onthe display and storage apparatus.

[0008] Said display and storage apparatus is surrounded by an enclosurewall of appropriate height to keep the temperature of the hauled fishesat a uniform temperature by preventing the diffusion of cold air. It isclaimed that the whole temperature of the hauled fishes is maintainedstable and uniform by properly adjusting the height of the surroundingwall and the quantity of air introduction in accordance with thecondition and state of display of the hauled fishes.

[0009] This proposal is satisfying in regard to temperature control,however, much time and effort are needed to replace the hauled fishesonto the cooling plate, as the cooling plate is fixed on the floor.Besides, no concrete mention is made of the construction of thesurrounding wall.

[0010] Moreover, as no control means for humidity control of the lowtemperature region, the space for displaying the hauled fishes isprovided, the problem of deterioration in quality due to transfer ofwater from the surface of the hauled fishes and drying thereof arises.

[0011] In Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2000-201618 isproposed an improvement of a drainboard for placing fish thereon used ina sale at auction of tuna fish. The proposal is intended to provide ahygienic, durable, and lightweight drainboard which, at the same time,is improved in the easiness in handling with a hook and does not damagethe skin or body of the fish when tuna fish is placed on or removed fromthe drainboard. Aluminum is used for the material of the plates andcrosspieces composing the drainboard, and a sloped face is formed alongthe side of the plate in full length to prevent the damage of the skinof the fish.

[0012] Comparatively simple apparatuses such as the hook and thedrainboard are used in a fish market, as cited in the disclosure.

[0013] This is because there is a characteristics situation of a fishmarket that the fish market has a public function to cope with emergencycases in addition to its proper function.

[0014] It is assumed that the market is used for disaster relief usingships and as an emergency shelter for people, as it is located adjacentto a wharf. Therefore, an equipment which would become obstacle in suchan emergency is not allowed to be installed or placed in the marketother than when it is used as an auction market. The equipment fortrading is demanded to be installed and removed speedily. The fact thatequipment of which the installation requires much expense of time andeffort is not accepted and hooks and drainboards are used convenientlyis thought to be due to the circumstance mentioned above.

[0015] When handling frozen tuna fish, condensation of moisture in thesurrounding air on the surface of the fish or frosting occurs. Thecondensation heat or heat of solidification due to the phase-change ofwater effects thawing of the frozen fish, which causes the problem thatthe skin of the fish is damaged and in its turn the quality isdeteriorated.

[0016] Therefore, the control of humidity of the surrounding air ofhauled fishes is also an important factor for maintaining quality.

[0017] Recently, a greater number of distribution systems have becomeseparated from a purchase and sale system owing to the development ofinformation technology. So, a purchase and sale system based onobjective data such as, in the case of hauled fishes, production region,name of fishing boat, history of storage temperature, analysis data offreshness and so on has become increasingly adopted instead of a systemin which traders trade based on their experience and mutual reliancewhile observing the products of trade closely and ascertaining thequality of them.

[0018] It is probable that the products of trade landed on a market inOkinawa can be traded in a market in Hokkaido. Therefore, in a systemrequiring temperature control, more severe temperature control anddisclosure of data have become necessary.

[0019] By the way, the quality change due to microorganisms is the causewhich induces problems the most frequently among the causes of thedeterioration of food quality. Microorganisms such as bacteria, mold,and yeast cause the quality change.

[0020] Among them, enteritis Vibrio is the one on which prime importanceis put as food poisoning microbe in Japan. This microbe is comparativelyweak in low temperature, its growth is suppressed at temperatures below5° C., and its multiplication is impossible at temperatures below 10° C.However, enteritis Vibrio can live in seawater and attaches to the bodysurface or gill of fish and shellfish.

[0021] A sanitation management system according to HACCP which iscomposed mainly of Hazard Analysis (HA) and Critical Control Point (CCP)has been introduced for the establishment of measures againstdeterioration of food. From the point of view of said HACCP, the firststep for the prevention of the deterioration in quality of marineproducts is also to maintain the quality thereof in the auction marketwhich is the first channel of trade. Therefore, establishment ofpreferable sanitation management method based on the prevention ofmultiplication of harmful microorganisms including said enteritis Vibrioand the equipment for maintaining the quality of hauled fishes, theobjects of auction, are strongly demanded.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0022] The present invention was made in the light of the problemsmentioned above. The object of the invention is to provide lowtemperature zone forming equipment having a storage function capable ofeffective control of temperature and humidity and a method and equipmentfor maintaining the quality of hauled fishes in an auction market ofmarine products such as fishes, shellfishes, for constituting a lowtemperature distribution system closely linked with a purchase and salesystem in consideration of the characteristics of the market.

[0023] The low temperature distribution system according to the presentinvention is characterized in that, in a low temperature distributionsystem having a separate purchase and sale system, low temperature zoneforming equipment for keeping in storage the object to be distributedhas a temperature and humidity censer and a control means for sendingthe data detected with the censers to a purchase and sale system.

[0024] As cited above, the invention is low temperature formingequipment in a low temperature distribution system which has a separatepurchase and sale system and in which the temperature of merchandise iscontrolled in the flow thereof from production to consumption.

[0025] For example, the landed and auctioned hauled fishes beforeshipment are temporarily kept in storage under controlled temperatureand humidity by use of temperature and humidity censers in the spacesurrounded with the enclosure wall. The system is provided with a datatransmission control means to certify to buyers in remote districts thestorage condition data of the fishes displayed under a proper lowtemperature and humidity controlled. The temperature may be indicated onthe enclosure wall and the picture may be distributed to markets inremote districts. When buyers are on the same place, the temperature maybe display only on the wall.

[0026] It is preferable that said low temperature zone forming equipmenthas a means for forming a low temperature zone of controlled humidityaround the objects to be kept in storage, the means having a cooler,humidity controlling means, and air flow forming apparatus.

[0027] The low temperature forming equipment according to the presentinvention has a humidity controlling function other than that ofcontrolling temperature in its storage function in addition to the meansto send said storage condition data to the buyers in remote districts.The equipment is provided with a temperature control means having acooler and a humidity control means having a humidity controllerreferred to later, by which the chilled air of predetermined temperatureand relative humidity is obtained. Further, a low temperature zone ofcontrolled humidity is formed around the objects to be kept in storageby the use of a blower or agitator.

[0028] Accordingly, the objects to be kept in storage are kept in a lowtemperature state and the transfer of moisture between the surface ofthe objects and the low temperature zone is prevented.

[0029] As a result, in the case of not-frozen foodstuff the transfer ofmoisture to the ambient air from the surface of the foodstuff and dryingthereof is prevented, in the case of frozen fishes such as frozen tunathe condensation of moisture or frosting on the surface thereof, orthawing in its turn is prevented, and the quality is maintained.

[0030] It is preferable that said humidity control means has adehumidifier for preventing dew-condensation or frosting due tophase-change for the frozen objects to be kept in storage, and ahumidifier for increasing the dew-point temperature in the zone abovethe surface temperature of the object to prevent the transfer ofmoisture between the surface of the object and the ambient air ofnot-frozen, perishable foods, the objects to be kept in storage.

[0031] Thus, in the case the object to be kept in storage is a frozenfish such as tuna, the relative humidity of the low temperature zonesurrounding the object is decreased to prevent the transfer of moistureby controlling humidity, and in the case the object to be kept instorage is a not-frozen, perishable foodstuff, the humidity of the lowtemperature zone surrounding the object is controlled so that thedew-point temperature is higher than the surface temperature of theobject, for when said dew-point temperature is lower than that of thesurface of the object, the transferring of the moisture from the surfaceof the object to the low temperature zone occurs, and the value asmerchandise is damaged due to the drying of the surface thereof.

[0032] It is preferable that said low temperature zone forming equipmentis composed of a chilled air generator comprising a cooler with a blowerand an enclosure wall composed of a flexible, hollow structuresurrounding the objects to be kept in storage, said enclosure wallhaving ports for entrance and exit of water, a connection port forsupplying the chilled air from the chilled air generator at an end partthereof, and exhaust openings formed of knitted cloth along the insideface of the enclosure wall.

[0033] The invention cited above is an example of the structure of thelow temperature zone forming equipment. The folded enclosure wall isinflated by blowing air thereinto. The wall is brought to intimatecontact with the part of the floor formed into an anchor part. Thechilled air produced by the chilled air generator located outside theenclosure wall is supplied to the inflated enclosure wall which itselffunctions as a duct, and the chilled air flows through the hollow spacein the inflated wall and exhausted from exhaust openings formed ofknitted cloth provided on the inner side face of the enclosure wall tothe ambient space of the objects kept in storage within the enclosure toform the low temperature zone within the enclosure.

[0034] It is preferable that said low temperature zone forming equipmentis composed of a chilled air generator comprising a cooler with a blowerand a panel type enclosure wall surrounding the objects to be kept instorage, and a cross-duct connected to said chilled air generator isprovided within the enclosure.

[0035] The invention cited above is another example of embodiment of thelow temperature zone forming equipment.

[0036] Said chilled air generator is preferable to have a humiditycontroller.

[0037] In the low temperature zone forming equipment composed of saidchilled air generator and enclosure wall, a humidity controller isattached to the chilled air generator to increase or decrease thehumidity of the chilled air blown off into the enclosure. Thus thehumidity in addition to the temperature of the low temperature zone iscontrolled to prevent the transfer of moisture between the surface ofthe object to be kept in storage and the air in the low temperaturezone.

[0038] Said low temperature zone forming equipment may be composed of acooler embedded in the floor, an enclosure wall for enclosing theobjects to be kept in storage in the space occupied with the chilled airproduced by said cooler, and an agitator for forming air flow byagitating the chilled air in the enclosed space.

[0039] The low temperature zone forming equipment cited above is apreferable structure of the type other than the types, each beingcomposed of an enclosure wall and chilled air generator as described inthe foregoing. In the equipment, a cooling part is placed under thesurface of the floor of the low temperature zone, objects to be kept instorage are placed in the chilled air cooled by the cooling part andenclosed with an enclosure wall, and the chilled air within theenclosure is agitated by an agitator to form a low temperature zone ofuniform temperature capable of being controlled.

[0040] It is preferable that a humidity controller is provided insidethe enclosure; the humidity of the low temperature zone is decreased forthe objects to be kept in storage in frozen state to prevent theoccurrence of dew condensation or frosting due to phase-change ofmoisture on the surfaces of the objects; the humidity is increased fornot-frozen, perishable foods, the objects to be kept in storage, to keepthe dew-point temperature of water in the low temperature zone above thesurface temperature of said objects for preventing the transfer ofmoisture from the surfaces of the objects.

[0041] In the low temperature forming equipment composed of a coolingpart placed under the surface of the floor, an enclosure wall, and anagitator provided inside the enclosure, a humidity controller isprovided inside the enclosure to secure highly effective storageperformance by controlling the humidity in addition to the temperaturewithin the enclosure. In the case the objects to be kept in storage arenot-frozen, perishable foodstuff, drying of the food stuff is preventedby increasing the humidity of the low temperature zone so that thedew-point temperature of water in the zone is above the surfacetemperature of the objects, and in the case the objects to be kept instorage are frozen foodstuff, the occurrence of dew-condensation orfrosting is prevented by decreasing the humidity.

[0042] Next, a quality maintaining method in an auction market of marineproducts according to the present invention is characterized in thathauled fishes are placed on carrying faces maintained near freezingtemperature above 0° C., said hauled fishes are surrounded with anenclosure wall, chilled air of about 3° C. or below is blown to saidhauled fishes, and the air temperature within the enclosure is kept atabout 10° C. or below.

[0043] The invention is to perform the most suitable temperature controlfor the marine products just after landed in an auction market and toprevent the occurrence of severe problems in maintaining the qualityafterward.

[0044] First of all, hauled fishes are placed on a cooled plate of whichthe surface temperature is kept near freezing temperature of water above0° C. in order to prevent freezing, then the hauled fishes placed on theplate is surrounded with a enclosure wall to form a space partitionedfrom the surrounding space. Chilled air of about 3° C. or below is blownoff into the enclosed space to produce the enclosed space of atemperature of about 10° C. or below at which temperature themultiplication of harmful bacteria including enteritis Vibrio isprevented, and the quality of the hauled fishes are maintained.

[0045] A preferable quality maintaining equipment in an auction marketof marine products employing the quality maintaining method according tothe present invention is an equipment capable of maintaining quality ofperishable fish and shellfish in an auction market characterized in thatthe equipment is composed of cooling panels to place hauled fishesthereon; an air fence consisting of a foldable enclosure wall tosurround the hauled fishes placed on said panels and a chilled airblow-off section provided on said enclosure wall; air curtains toshutoff the chilled air within the enclosure; and a chilled airgenerator comprising a cooler and blower for producing said chilled air;a space partitioning being done by said air fence and curtains, and theair temperature inside the partitioned space being maintained at lowtemperature of 10° C. or below by the chilled air of about 3° C. blownoff from said chilled air blown-off parts.

[0046] In the equipment cited above, cooled panels are provided, afoldable air fence forms an enclosed space partitioned from thesurroundings for enclosing the hauled fishes placed on the cooledpanels, chilled air from a chilled air generator is introduced into achilled air blow-off section at the bottom part of the fence from aconnection port at an end of the air fence and blown off from thechilled air blow-off openings formed on the inside face of the airfence, and air curtains shutting out the chilled air enables theentrance and exit of the hauled fishes and workers. Chilled air of about3° C.˜7° C. is introduced from the chilled air generator into the fenceto maintain the temperature of the low temperature zone within theenclosure partitioned with the fence at about 10° C. or below to preventthe multiplication of harmful bacteria including enteritis Vibrioadhering to the hauled fishes.

[0047] The surface temperature of the cooled panels for placing thereonthe hauled fishes to be auctioned is kept near freezing temperatureabove 0° C. in order to prevent the freezing of the hauled fishesthereon.

[0048] The cooled panel of said quality maintaining equipment maypreferably be provided with an embedded tube connected to a brinecooler, or composed of a tube connected to a brine cooler and formedinto a mat, the temperature of the surface thereof being maintained nearfreezing temperature above 0° C.

[0049] The invention cited above describes the structure of the cooledpanel in the quality maintaining equipment. The cooled panel is composedof a tube embedded in the floor of the auction market or a mat having atube integrated in the bottom part thereof or a tube formed into a mat,the tube being connected to a brine cooler operated using brine for fooduse to be supplied with brine of about −2° C. The temperature of thesurface of the panel is maintained at 0° C. or a little higher.

[0050] The air fence of said quality maintaining equipment maypreferably be a temporal wall of air balloon type and provided with achilled air blow-off section on the inside upper or lower part thereof.

[0051] The invention cited above describes the structure of the airfence in the quality maintaining equipment. Air is pumped into a flat,flexible, air-tight vessel to expand it to form an enclosure wall on thelower or upper part of which is provided a chilled air duct having aplurality of openings for blowing off the chilled air.

[0052] The cooler of said quality maintaining equipment may preferablybe an air-cycle refrigerator.

[0053] In the invention cited above, the chilled air generator in saidquality maintaining equipment produces low temperature air by air-cyclerefrigeration in which air is compressed and the compressed highpressure, high temperature air is cooled to near ordinary temperature,then the cooled air is expanded in an expansion turbine.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0054]FIG. 1 is a representation showing an embodiment of lowtemperature zone forming equipment in a marine products market accordingto the present invention: (a) shows low temperature zone formingequipment of bathtub type, and (b) shows a partial cross section in (b).

[0055]FIG. 2 is a representation showing another embodiment of FIG. 1:(a) shows low temperature zone forming equipment in the case the coolingsection is embedded in the floor, (b) shows the situation of rapidhumidification of the low temperature space of (a), (c) shows lowtemperature zone forming equipment in which the chilled air from thechilled air chamber provided on one side is blown through over thesurface of drainboards, (d) shows low temperature zone forming equipmentof distribution box type, and (e) shows low temperature zone formingequipment in which sorting, storage, purchase and sale, transfer, andarrangement of hauled fishes after landed are done on a conveyer lineand the hauled fishes on the conveyer are surrounded by chilled aircurtain.

[0056]FIG. 3(a) is a perspective view showing the diagrammatic sketch ofthe configuration of quality maintaining equipment in a marine productsmarket according to the present invention, and (b) shows the foldedstate of the air fence shown in (a).

[0057]FIG. 4(a) is a plan view of FIG. 3(a) viewed from above, and (b)is a view in the direction of arrows III-III in FIG. 4(a).

THE BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

[0058] Preferred embodiments of the present invention will now bedetailed with reference to the accompanying drawings. It is intended,however, that unless particularly specified, dimensions, materials,relative positions and so forth of the constituent parts in theembodiments shall be interpreted as illustrative only not as limitativeof the scope of the present invention.

[0059]FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of low temperature zone formingequipment in a marine products market according to the presentinvention: (a) shows low temperature zone forming equipment of bathtubtype, and (b) shows a partial cross section in (b). FIG. 2 shows anotherembodiment of FIG. 1: (a) shows low temperature zone forming equipmentin the case the cooling section is embedded in the floor, (b) shows thesituation of rapid humidification of the low temperature space of (a),(c) shows low temperature zone forming equipment in which the chilledair from the chilled air chamber provided on one side is blown throughover the surface of drainboards, (d) shows low temperature zone formingequipment of distribution box type, and (e) shows low temperature zoneforming equipment in which sorting, storage, purchase and sale,transfer, and arrangement of hauled fishes after landed are done on aconveyer line and the they are surrounded by chilled air curtain on theconveyer. FIG. 3(a) is a perspective view showing the diagrammaticsketch of the configuration of quality maintaining equipment in a marineproducts market according to the present invention, and (b) shows thefolded state of the air fence shown in (a). FIG. 4(a) is a plan view ofFIG. 3(a) viewed from above, and (b) is a view in the direction ofarrows III-III.

[0060]FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of low temperature zone formingequipment in a marine products market according to the presentinvention; (a) shows low temperature zone forming equipment of bathtubtype, and (b) shows a partial cross section in (b).

[0061] As shown in FIG. 1(a), the low temperature zone forming equipmentis configured such that a plurality of drainboard 2 with hauled fisheslaid thereon are surrounded by an enclosure wall 3, and the chilled airgenerated and adjusted to near freezing temperature of water in achilled air generator 1 composed of a cooler and blower is blown offinto the space enclosed with the enclosure wall 3. This configurationmay be called bathtub type. The chilled air generator 1 is provided witha humidity controller not shown in the drawing to control humidity.

[0062] The enclosure wall 3 is made of flexible material. It is inflatedand developed by supplying the chilled air from the chilled airgenerator 1 to be formed into a mat-shape wall, the humidity of thechilled air being controlled by the humidity controller built into thechilled generator 1.

[0063] The bottom forms the anchor part by flowing water therein and isbrought into intimate contact with the floor. Inside the enclosure wall3 is provided movably a sock-duct (the duct is made of cloth woven withcontinuous fiber and formed into a long cylindrical shape provided withair outlets on its surface) capable of expansion and contraction, andchilled air is supplied therein in the state of gentle wind so as not tomake persons feel discomfort.

[0064] The landed hauled fishes 2 a are placed on the drainboard 2,transferred by a fork-lift truck or hand hook to the inside spacesurrounded by the enclosure wall 3, and kept in storage in the lowtemperature region where the temperature is controlled to near freezingtemperature and the humidity is controlled to that at which thedew-point temperature is higher than said controlled temperature.

[0065] A temperature and humidity censer attached to the equipmentmeasures and records the temperature and humidity of the hauled fish onthe drainboard 2, and the measured value is indicated on the spot ortransmitted over a communication circuit together with the data of theindividual hauled fish if the auction is done at a remote market.

[0066] Air curtains 3 a are provided at several parts of the enclosurewall 3 for the comings and goings of the forklift trucks and personsconcerned.

[0067] A complete set of the equipment can be carried on a vehicle, andthe carrying-in and removal of the equipment can be completed speedily.

[0068] As shown in FIG. 1(b), the floor is cooled with a cooling mat 2 bif necessary. The cooling mat 2 b may be, for example, equipped with acooling brine tube 13 and embedded in the floor.

[0069] In the case the cooling section is embedded in the floor as ismentioned above, a chilled air agitator 21 and a humidity controller notshown in the drawing are provided inside the enclosure wall 20 as shownin FIG. 2(a).

[0070] The hauled fish, the objects to be kept in storage, are placed onthe drainboard in raw or in frozen state. Or they are packed in a vesselwith ice and displayed with the cover removed.

[0071] Therefore, the objects to be cooled are located in the positionsomewhat apart from the floor. A low temperature zone consisting of alayer of certain thickness of low temperature air is formed by agitatingthe chilled air spreading on the floor by the chilled air agitator 21,and the hauled fish, the object to be kept in storage, are kept intemporal storage in the low temperature zone consisting of a lowtemperature air layer of uniform temperature.

[0072] Further, as the hauled fishes are displayed in various statessuch as raw state, packed state with ice, or frozen state as mentionedabove, it is necessary to form the low temperature zone in accordancewith the various states. To meet the circumstances, following measuresare adopted.

[0073] In the case of raw state or packed state with ice, it isnecessary, since the surface of the hauled fish is in a uniformtemperature in the neighborhood of 10° C.˜0° C. of the low temperaturezone, to control the humidity of the zone to the value at which the dewpoint temperature of water is higher than that of the surface of theobjects.

[0074] Under ordinary atmospheric conditions, lowering the ambienttemperature of the hauled fish by forming the low temperature zoneaccompanies dehumidification effect. Accordingly, evaporation ofmoisture occurs from the surface of the hauled fish if the temperatureof the surface is higher than that of the chilled air, and drying of thesurface is effected.

[0075] The drying can be prevented by rapid increase in humidity of thelow temperature zone. This is done, for example, by operating thevibrator 22 a of an ultrasonic humidifier 22 as shown in FIG. 2(b). Bythe generation of atomized particles. 22 b of water in the lowtemperature zone, the relative humidity of the low temperature zone canbe increased to near 100%.

[0076] When the dew-point temperature in the low temperature zonebecomes higher than that on the surface of the hauled fish, the transferof moisture from the surface of the hauled fish ceases and the dryingstops.

[0077] The floor is sprayed with water and heat transfer coefficient islarge, and chilled air agitation speed is fast, so rapid humidificationis desirable.

[0078]FIG. 2(c) shows a type of low temperature zone forming equipmentin which a chilled air generator 1 having a built-in humidity controlleris located at one side of the zone, the chilled air blown off from achilled air chamber 4 flows over the surfaces of drainboards 2 on whichhauled fishes 2 a are placed. In this case air curtains 4 a of ordinarytemperature are formed on both sides of the zone parallel to the flow ofthe chilled air.

[0079] In the case the quantity of arrival of merchandise is large andthe bathtub type shown in FIG. 1(a) is not able to accommodate all ofthem, a modification may be done in which the leeward side in FIG. 2(a)is opened and the method of FIG. 2(c) is combined.

[0080]FIG. 2(d) shows low temperature forming equipment usingdistribution boxes 5 and platform cars 6. Cold heat energy accumulatingmaterial(a cold agent) 5 a is contained in the distribution box to coolthe hauled fish 2 a in the box.

[0081]FIG. 2(e) shows the low temperature zone forming equipment inwhich sorting, storage, purchase and sale, transfer, and arrangement ofhauled fishes after landed are done on a conveyer line composed of aconveyer 9 and a rack 8, and the hauled fishes 2 a on the conveyer 9 aresurrounded by chilled air curtain 7.

[0082] Temperature censers and a control means for recording and sendingto external systems the data of the temperature of the hauled fish orthe storage section thereof measured by the censers are provided also ineach low temperature forming equipment of FIGS. 2(c), (d), and (e).

[0083] In FIG. 3(a) is shown a perspective view showing the diagrammaticsketch of the configuration of quality maintaining equipment in a marineproducts market according to the present invention, and in FIG. 4(a) isshown a plane view of the equipment viewed from above.

[0084] As can be seen in the figures, the equipment is composed ofcooled panels 15, an air fence 10 comprising an foldable enclosure wall10 a having a chilled air blow-off section(duct) 10 b and surroundingthe hauled fishes 2 a placed on the cooled panels 15, air curtains 12for shutting off the chilled air in the space surrounded with theenclosure wall 10 a, and a chilled air generator 14. The chilled air inthe enclosed space is shut off from the outside by partitioning thespace with the air fence 10 and air curtains 12. The temperature in theenclosed space partitioned with the enclosure wall 10 a is maintained atabout 10° C. or below by blowing off chilled air of about 3° C. from thechilled air blow-off duct 10 b. The hauled fishes placed on the cooledpanels 15 are thus kept in storage in the space of low temperature ofabout 10° C. or below. Accordingly, harmful bacteria including enteritisVibrio adhering to the body or gill of the hauled fish are inhibitedfrom multiplication and the quality maintenance is attained, preventingsevere harm in the handling thereafter.

[0085] The temperature of the chilled air is preferable to be +3° C.˜−7°C.

[0086] The air fence 10 is composed of a chilled air blow-off duct 10 band an enclosure wall 10 a of air balloon type. The chilled air blow-offduct 10 b is provided with a plurality of openings for blowing off thechilled air. The chilled air 11 of temperature of about 3° C. or belowis blown off from the opening into the enclosed space to keep thetemperature of the space at about 10° C. or below. All of the hauledfishes 2 a on the cooled panels 15 are thus placed in the lowtemperature zone. Thus, the quality maintenance accommodating to theFoodstuff Sanitation Law is instituted.

[0087] The enclosure wall 10 a is made of flexible material that doesnot permit the passage of air and formed into a foldable structure. So,it can be folded to a compact shape as shown in FIG. 3(b) in a shorttime when dismantling. The enclosure wall can be formed easily andefficiently in a short time by pumping air into the folded structure.

[0088] The panel, curtain, and so forth may be made of thermalinsulating material.

[0089] The height of the enclosure wall may be determined optionally.

[0090] The cooled panel 15 for placing the hauled fishes 2 a thereon hasa cooling brine tube 13 embedded therein. Brine for food use(calciumchloride, propylene glycol, etc.) of about −2° C. produced by a brinecooler 16 is flowed in the brine tube 13 placed under the surface of thefloor as shown in 4(b) which shows a view in the direction of arrowsIII-III in FIG. 4(a). The temperature of the carrying surface on whichthe hauled fishes are placed is kept at a temperature near the freezingpoint of water above 0° C. so that the hauled fishes 2 a on the cooledpanel 15 do not freeze.

[0091] The air curtains 12 is to prevent the leakage of the chilled air,doors may be used instead.

[0092] The chilled air generator 14 is to produce the chilled air ofabout 3° C. or below through heat exchange by operating refrigeratingcycle. Low temperature air may be obtained by operating air-cyclerefrigeration, in which air is compressed and the compressed highpressure, high temperature air is cooled to near ordinary temperature,then the cooled air is expanded in an expansion turbine to obtain lowtemperature air.

EFFECTS OF THE INVENTION

[0093] The present invention will be implemented in such forms as havebeen described in the foregoing and bring about the following effects:

[0094] A high performance low temperature distribution system isobtained by composing a highly functional low temperature distributionsystem in which merchandise storage condition data in a market is keptin a close connection with purchase and sale systems scattered in remotedistricts and low temperature zone forming equipment having a storagefunction capable of controlling temperature and humidity. With thesystem the reliability of merchandise is increased as the lowtemperature storage data in the market is reserved.

[0095] With the system in which a method and equipment for maintainingthe quality of marine products in an auction market, multiplication ofharmful bacteria including particularly enteritis Vibrio on the hauledfishes after landing is effectively prevented at the water's edge.

1. A low temperature physical distribution system in a system having aseparate purchase and sale system, characterized in that low temperaturezone forming equipment for keeping in storage the object to bedistributed has a temperature and humidity censer and a control meansfor sending the data detected with the censers to a purchase and salesystem.
 2. A low temperature physical distribution system according toclaim 1 characterized in that said low temperature zone formingequipment has a means for forming a low temperature zone of controlledhumidity around the objects to be kept in storage, the means having acooler, humidity controlling means, and air flow forming apparatus.
 3. Alow temperature physical distribution system according to claim 2characterized in that said humidity controlling means consists of adehumidifier for preventing the occurrence of dew condensation orfrosting due to phase-change on the objects to be kept in storage infrozen state.
 4. A low temperature physical distribution systemaccording to claim 2 characterized in that said humidity controllingmeans is composed of a humidifier for preventing the transfer of waterfrom the surfaces of not-frozen, perishable foods, the objects to bekept in storage, by keeping the dew-point temperature in the lowtemperature zone above the surface temperature of said objects.
 5. A lowtemperature physical distribution system according to claim 2characterized in that said low temperature zone forming equipment iscomposed of a chilled air generator comprising a cooler and blower, andan enclosure wall composed of a flexible hollow structure surroundingthe objects to be kept in storage, said enclosure wall having ports forentrance and exit of water, a connection port for supplying the chilledair from the chilled air generator at an end part thereof, and exhaustopenings formed of knitted cloth along the inside face of the enclosurewall.
 6. A low temperature physical distribution system according toclaim 2 characterized in that said low temperature zone formingequipment is composed of a chilled air generator comprising a cooler andblower, and a panel type enclosure wall surrounding the objects to bekept in storage, and a cross-duct connected to said chilled airgenerator is provided inside the enclosure.
 7. A low temperaturephysical distribution system according to claim 5 characterized in thatsaid chilled air generator is provided with a humidity controller.
 8. Alow temperature physical distribution system according to claim 2characterized in that said low temperature zone forming equipment iscomposed of a cooler embedded in the floor, an enclosure wall forenclosing the objects to be kept in storage in the space occupied withthe chilled air produced by said cooler, and an agitator for forming airflow by agitating the chilled air in the enclosed space.
 9. A lowtemperature physical distribution system according to claim 8characterized in that a humidity controller is provided inside saidenclosure; the humidity of the low temperature zone is decreased for theobjects to be kept in storage in frozen state to prevent the occurrenceof dew condensation or frosting due to phase-change of moisture on thesurfaces of the objects; the humidity is increased for not-frozen,perishable foods, the objects to be kept in storage, to keep thedew-point temperature of water in the low temperature zone above thesurface temperature of said objects for preventing the transfer ofmoisture from the surfaces of the objects.
 10. A quality maintainingmethod in an auction market of marine products characterized in thathauled fishes are placed on carrying faces maintained near freezingtemperature above 0° C., said hauled fishes are surrounded with anenclosure wall, chilled air of about 3° C. or below is blown to saidhauled fishes, and the air temperature within the enclosure ismaintained at about 10° C. or below.
 11. A quality maintaining equipmentcapable of maintaining quality of perishable fish and shellfish in anauction market characterized in that the equipment is composed of cooledpanels to place hauled fishes thereon; an air fence comprising afoldable enclosure wall to surround the hauled fishes placed on saidpanels and chilled air blow-off section provided on said enclosure wall;air curtains to shutoff the chilled air within the enclosure; and achilled air generator comprising a cooler and blower for producing saidchilled air; a space partitioning being done by said air fence andcurtains, and the air temperature inside the partitioned space beingkept at a low temperature of 10° C. or below by the chilled air of about3° C. blown off from said chilled air blown-off section.
 12. A qualitymaintaining equipment in an auction market according to claim 11characterized in that said cooled panel is provided with an embeddedtube connected to a brine cooler, or composed of a tube connected to abrine cooler and formed into a mat, the temperature of the surfacethereof being maintained near freezing temperature above 0° C.
 13. Aquality maintaining equipment in an auction market according to claim 11characterized in that said air fence is a temporal wall of air balloontype and provided with a chilled air blow-off section on the insideupper or lower part.
 14. A quality maintaining equipment in an auctionmarket according to claim 11 characterized in that said cooler iscomposed to operate on an air-cycle refrigeration.